widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred 
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
low, widespread hood and fenders—
Time
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockExamples of widespread in a Sentence
There is widespread public interest in the election.
Trade partners had become more widespread.
There was widespread opposition to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to providing protection for individuals, the DHS website says that widespread vaccination means that diseases have less opportunity to spread.
—Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
The fact that this has occurred in tandem with the widespread use of things like social media or even video calls, things which outright force people to look at themselves for prolonged periods of time, is no coincidence.
—William Jones, Freep.com, 22 July 2025
Why The Exit Ramps Are Closed This Time Rising costs, soaring employment and widespread physician dissatisfaction are not new to American healthcare.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Amid widespread concern about social injustices across the U.S. in 2020, both the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians decided to change their controversial names out of respect for Native Americans.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
The fact that this has occurred in tandem with the widespread use of things like social media or even video calls, things which outright force people to look at themselves for prolonged periods of time, is no coincidence.
—William Jones, Freep.com, 22 July 2025
Why The Exit Ramps Are Closed This Time Rising costs, soaring employment and widespread physician dissatisfaction are not new to American healthcare.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Amid widespread concern about social injustices across the U.S. in 2020, both the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians decided to change their controversial names out of respect for Native Americans.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred
1
: scattered or found over a wide area
widespread interest in the election
2
: spread out over a wide area
widespread wings
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